Kentucky basketball’s Otega Oweh declares for NBA draft but maintains college eligibility

LEXINGTON — Otega Oweh is leaving open the door for a return.

Expected to be the centerpiece of Kentucky basketball‘s roster next season, Oweh announced Tuesday he’s entering the NBA draft — but he will maintain his college eligibility. His potential return would give coach Mark Pope a go-to option offensively with Oweh heading into his senior season.

Oweh announced his decision in a post on his personal Instagram account.

“To the best fans in the nation, the Big Blue Nation — getting to play the game I love each day, knowing I have your support alongside my family and friends, has truly been a dream come true, and I am incredibly blessed. I’m taking the next step and have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, while maintaining my NCAA eligibility,” Oweh wrote, ending the statement by using his nickname, “Double O,” a reference to the initials of his first and last name as well as his jersey number (00).

Name the scoring category and Oweh likely led the way in 2024-25 for UK

• Points per game: 16.2;

• Times scoring in double figures: 33 (in 36 games);

• Consecutive games with 10-plus points: 26 (each of Kentucky’s first 26 contests; longest streak by any SEC player in 2024-25 and best by a Wildcat since Malik Monk posted double figures in 30 consecutive outings in 2016-17);

• Times leading the team in scoring: 16 (twice as many as his next-closest teammate, Koby Brea, with eight).

Oweh’s season and career high occurred against his former team, Oklahoma, on Feb. 26, when he poured in 28 points — including the final 18, highlighted by the go-ahead bucket with 6.1 seconds remaining to lift Kentucky to an 83-82 road victory. (The only Wildcat to score more in a game last season was Lamont Butler, who had a perfect night in the Battle of the Bluegrass, going 10 for 10 from the field — 6 for 6 on 3s — to tally 33 points in a win at Rupp Arena.)